Better Off Alone (Alice Deejay song)

"Better Off Alone"
Single by Alice Deejay
from the album Who Needs Guitars Anyway?
Released July 19, 1998[1]
Format
Recorded 1998
Genre
Length 3:34
Label
Writer(s)
  • Sebastian Molijn
  • Eelke Kalberg[3]
Producer(s) DJ Jurgen
Alice Deejay singles chronology
"Better Off Alone"
(1998)		 "Back in My Life"
(1999)
Music sample
"Better Off Alone"
21 second excerpt where the song's primary line is featured.

"Better Off Alone" is a song by Dutch group Alice Deejay. It was released on July 19, 1998 as the lead single from their debut album Who Needs Guitars Anyway?. It was originally written and released in 1998 on Canadian label ISBA Music Entertainment Inc. but was re-released in 1999 by Positiva, Universal and Republic.

Composition

"Better Off Alone" is written in the key of G sharp minor with a fast tempo of 137 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of E–G♯m—D♯m–F♯, and the vocals span from B3 to G♯4.[4]

Production

"Better Off Alone" was initially an instrumental track.[3] DJ Sebastiaan Molijn came up with the lyric "Do you think you're better off alone?" after his romantic partner had left him. Molijn stated that "I started humming the vocal melody while the track was playing and we decided to add vocals. It made the emotion of the song as real as it gets. One simple line that said it all."[3] Judith Pronk served as singer for the album.[5]

Style

Entertainment Weekly described the song as "techno-pop" while Spin described it as a "trance-fueled Eurodance".[5][6]

Release and chart performance

Pronk changed her stagename to Alice Deejay after the track was released. The track was released to dance clubs and became an international hit in clubs reaching #2 on the Billboard club charts and a top ten club chart worldwide. The song then became a hit reaching #2 in Canada, #25 in the U.S. and #2 in the UK. It went on to sell over 600,000 copies in the UK and become one of the country's best-selling singles of 1999, despite the radio edit not being on the commercial CD release.[7] The song was in the top 100 best selling singles in Australia for 2000 as compiled by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[8]

Reception

Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B rating, describing the song as "waaaay lite" with "barely-there lyrics" referring to the song as having "catchy, throwaway results".[6]

The song was later sampled for French DJ David Guetta's 2013 single "Play Hard", featuring R&B singer-songwriters Akon and Ne-Yo, from his album Nothing but the Beat 2.0.

Track listings and formats

UK Promo CD single[9] (Positiva) CDTIVDJ-113
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:38)
  2. Better Off Alone (UK Short Cut) (2:54)
UK CD Maxi-single[10] (Positiva) CDTIV-113
  1. Better off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:44)
  2. Better off Alone (Signum Remix) (6:21)
  3. Better off Alone (DJ Jam X And De Leon's Dumonde Remix) (6:42)
UK 12-inch vinyl[10] (Positiva) 12TIV-113
  • A1: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  • A2: Better Off Alone (Signum Remix) (6:21)
  • B1: Better Off Alone (DJ Jam X And De Leon's DuMonde Mix) (6:42)
UK 12-inch promo vinyl[11] (Positiva) 12TIVDJ-113
  • A1: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix)
  • A2: Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale With Enrico Remix)
UK cassette single[12] (Positiva) TCTIV-113
  • A1: Better Off Alone (UK Short Cut) (2:53)
  • A2: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  • A3: Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  • B1: Better Off Alone (UK Short Cut) (2:53)
  • B2: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  • B3: Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
Scandinavia CD single[13] (Jive) 0580292
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Clubmix) (6:36)
Scandinavia CD Maxi-single[14] (Jive) 0523562
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Clubmix) (6:36)
  3. Better Off Alone (Signum Rmx) (7:46)
  4. Better Off Alone (Pronti + Kalmani Vocal Rmx) (7:04)
  5. Better Off Alone (Pronti + Kalmani Club Dub) (6:46)
  6. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale With Enrico Rmx) (9:27)
Australia & New Zealand CD single[15] (X-Over) XOVER017
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:53)
  3. Better Off Alone (Signum RMX) (7:46)
  4. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  5. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Club Dub) (6:46)
  6. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale With Enrico Remix) (9:27)
France CD single[16] (Hot Tracks) SHT 3468-1
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:06)
Italy CD Maxi-single[17] (Time Records) TIME 151
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  3. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  4. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale with Enrico Remix) (9:27)
Italy 12-inch vinyl[18] (Time Records) TIME 151
  • A1: Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  • A2: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  • B1: Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  • B2: Better Off Alone (Marc Van Dale With Enrico Remix) (9:27)
Spain 12-inch vinyl[19] (Vale Music) VLMX 0295
  • A1: Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:51)
  • A2: Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Rmx) (7:04)
  • B1: Better Off Alone (Marc Van Dale with Enrico Rmx) (9:26)
  • B2: Better Off Alone (Signum Rmx) (7:46)
Spain CD Maxi-single[20] (Vale Music) VCDX 295
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:35)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:51)
  3. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  4. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Club Dub) (6:50)
  5. Better Off Alone (Signum Remix) (7:46)
  6. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale with Enrico Remix) (9:27)
Netherlands CD Maxi-single[21] (Violent Music BV) 0523562
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:36)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Club Mix) (6:36)
  3. Better Off Alone (Signum Remix) (7:46)
  4. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix) (7:04)
  5. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Club Dub) (6:46)
  6. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale with Enrico Remix) (9:27)
Canada CD Maxi-single[22] (ISBA) ISB-SI-7021
  1. Better Off Alone (Radio Edit) (3:38)
  2. Better Off Alone (Vocal Clubmix) (6:53)
  3. Better Off Alone (Signum RMX) (7:49)
  4. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Vocal RMX) (7:07)
  5. Better Off Alone (Pronti & Kalmani Club Dub) (6:52)
  6. Better Off Alone (Mark Van Dale with Enrico RMX) (9:28)
Germany 12-inch promo (Remixes)[23] (Orbit Records) B927118-01
  • A1: Better Off Alone (DJ Jam X & De Leon's DuMonde Remix) (6:42)
  • B1: Better Off Alone (Signum Remix) (6:21)

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1998–2000) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 4
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[25] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 16
France (SNEP)[27] 6
Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 32
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 3
Italy (FIMI)[30] 17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 11
Norway (VG-lista)[33] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 28
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[36] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[37] 25
US Billboard Pop Songs[37] 20
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs[37] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2000) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 88

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Platinum 600,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Cover versions and samples

In 2001, rock group Weezer covered the song during sessions for their album Maladroit. In 2007, New Jersey rock group Paulson released a rock cover of the song on their Calling on You EP.[40] In January 2008, Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa sampled the instrumental portion of the song for his single "Say Yeah".[41] A cover by The Secret Handshake is an iTunes exclusive bonus track on their 2009 album My Name Up in Lights. Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim frequently cover this track during their live sets. UK hardcore producer S3RL also covered this track featuring Tamika. Hardstyle artists Neilio and Sound Rusherz released a cover of the song in early July 2011.[42] Michigan band Salem released a cover in 2011.[43] David Guetta heavily sampled the song in 2013 for the song "Play Hard", which features Ne-Yo and Akon. Giraffage remixed this track and frequently plays it during his live sets.

References

  1. ↑ "Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay, DJ Alice, DJ Jurgen". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay, DJ Alice, DJ Jurgen". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 DJ Ron Slomowicz. "Pronti & Kalmani Interview". Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Better Off Alone". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
  5. 1 2 "ALICE DEEJAY - "BETTER OFF ALONE" | SPIN | Animal Collective Centipedia". SPIN. 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  6. 1 2 Johnson, Beth (June 23, 2000). "Better Off Alone". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p398650/charts-awards/billboard-singles
  8. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2000". Retrieved 2006-10-03.
  9. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  10. 1 2 "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  11. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  12. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Cassette) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  13. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  14. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  15. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  16. ↑ "Alice Deejay Feat. DJ Jurgen - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  17. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  18. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  19. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  20. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  21. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  22. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  23. ↑ "Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Remixes) (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  24. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  25. ↑ MacKenzie Wilson. "Alice Deejay - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  26. ↑ "Alice Deejay: Better Off Alone" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  27. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone" (in French). Les classement single.
  28. ↑ "Musicline.de – Alice Deejay Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  29. ↑ "Back In My Life by Alice Deejay Chart performance in Ireland". Irishcharts. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  30. ↑ "Billboard". google.ca.
  31. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – DJ Jurgen presents Alice Deejay search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  32. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone". Top 40 Singles.
  33. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone". VG-lista.
  34. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone". Singles Top 100.
  35. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone". Swiss Singles Chart.
  36. ↑ "Archive Chart: 1999-08-14" UK Singles Chart.
  37. 1 2 3 "Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay Chart performance in America". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  38. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 2000". Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  39. ↑ "British single certifications – Alice DeeJay – Better Off Alone". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Better Off Alone in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  40. ↑ "iTunes Store". Phobos.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  41. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Say Yeah - Single by Wiz Khalifa". Phobos.apple.com. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  42. ↑ "Neilio & Sound Rusherz - Better Off Alone (Neilio's Mix)". YouTube. 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  43. ↑ "Better Off Alone". YouTube. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2012-10-05.

External links

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